Back in September, the Lipscomb Lady Bisons volleyball team went across town to Tennessee State University and lost 3-2. Tuesday night at Allen Arena on the Lipscomb campus the outcome was much different as the Lady Bisons swept Tennessee State, the leading team in the Ohio Valley Conference, 3-0.

The Lady Bisons won the first game 30-25 and easily took games two and three by scores of 30-15 and 30-17. The Lady Bisons have won back-to-back matches over OVC schools after beating Tennessee Tech Oct. 28.

"This was a great win," said Lipscomb Coach Brandon Rosenthal. "It's a confidence builder, but the second half of the season has been a confidence builder. They have realized they can play with any team they want to play against."

In game one Tennessee State took the early control and led until the Lady Bisons rallied to take a 16-15 lead. They never relinquished the advantage, leading by as many as nine points at 29-20.

Games two and three were all Lipscomb. The second game was close until the Lady Bisons took over at 6-5 and continued to build their lead. In game three the Lady Bisons jumped out to an 18-5 lead.

Rosenthal credited the Lady Bisons serving as the main reason for the victory. They recorded nine service aces with Samantha Sullivan making a match-high five.

"We were able to do a lot of things because of our serving," Rosenthal said. "We're an aggressive service team. We are going to serve for points. Service aces are good, but it is not those aces, but the 20 or 30 other serves that put the other team in pressure situations."

Outside hitter Kelly Houff played her final home game for the Lady Bisons, but she made it a memorable one. She played in all three games, making five kills and three digs. Her hitting percentage was .250.

"Kelly has put in a tremendous amount of work," Rosenthal said. "There was a lot of losing when she first came here. The first couple of years she did some great stuff for the team. Last season was her best offensive year. She comes to play every game. Kelly knows her role on this team. I am very proud of her.

"This was a great senior night for her. She came out and did a great job."

Rosenthal also praised the play of freshman middle blocker Erin Pierce,

"Erin Pierce played a position she has never played before and finished with 10 kills and a .353 hitting percentage," Rosenthal said. "I'm proud of the way she played."

No Tennessee State player finished in double figures in digs. Katrelle Armwood finished with 12 digs. Erika Godbolt posted 11.

The Lady Bisons, who have two Atlantic Sun Conference games on the road this weekend at North Florida and Jacksonville, are 12-16 overall. The 12 victories are the most ever for the Lipscomb volleyball program.

"We're playing for the second, third or fourth seed in the conference tournament," Rosenthal said. "We just have to keep our focus and do our part."